Ties

The tie you choose should have subtle patterns and background colors to match the suit. If you are unsure, ask for assistance in a good menswear store. 100% silk ties tend to make the best knots. If you feel choked when wearing a tie, make sure that the collar of your shirt is not too tight--this is often the cause of the discomfort.
How to tie a tie

Four basic tie knots are described here: the four-in-hand, the half Windsor, the full Windsor (double Windsor), and the bow tie. The bow tie is usually only used with a tuxedo and is not recommended for a classic suit and tie look.

Keep in mind that when you look at the illustrations below, they are mirror images: they show what you would see as you look in the mirror to tie your tie.

Four-in-hand

This knot is simple to tie and has just a few twists. Learn this knot first, as it is the easiest, and it's an appropriate knot for all occasions.

1. Drape the tie over your neck and under your shirt collar. Start with the wide end of the tie on your right and extend it a foot below the narrow end.
2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, and bring it back underneath.
3. Continue around, crossing the wide end over the narrow end once more.
4. Pass the wide end through the loop you have created near your shirt collar.
5. Holding the front of the knot loose with your index finger, pass the wide end down through the loop in front.
6. Remove finger and tighten the knot carefully. Draw up to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding knot up snugly.

Half Windsor

The half Windsor is an excellent all-occasion knot that is relatively easy to tie.

1. Drape the tie over your neck and under your shirt collar. Start with the wide end of the tie on your right and extend it a foot below the narrow end.
2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, and bring it back underneath.
3. Bring the wide end up and turn down through the loop you've created near your collar.
4. Pass the wide end around the front from left to right.
5. Bring the wide end up and through the loop from behind.
6. Bring the wide end down through the knot in front. Tighten carefully and draw up to your collar.

Full Windsor (Double Windsor)

The full Windsor is the dressiest knot of the three. It is ideal for wide collar openings and extra-long neckties, though it may look crowded if you have a narrow collar opening.

1. Drape the tie over your neck and under your shirt collar. Start with the wide end of the tie on your right and extend it a foot below the narrow end.
2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end and bring up through the loop you've created near your collar.
3. Bring the wide end down and around behind the narrow end, then up on your right.
4. Pass the wide end through the loop, then around and across the narrow end.
5. Turn and pass the wide end up through the loop.
6. Complete by slipping the wide end down through the knot in the front. Tighten and draw up snug to your collar.

Bow tie

This knot is appropriate for tuxedos.
1. Drape the tie over your neck and under your shirt collar. Start with the end in your left hand extending 1-1.5 inches below the end in your right hand.
2. Cross the longer end (in your left hand) over the shorter end and pass up through the loop around your neck.
3. Form the front loop of the bow by doubling up the shorter end (the hanging end), and placing across your collar points.
4. Hold this front loop with the thumb and forefinger of your left hand. Drop the long end down over the front loop. Make sure that the front loop remains well formed and tight against your neck.
5. Place your right forefinger pointing up on the bottom half of the hanging part of the tie. Pass it up behind the front loop.
6. Poke the resulting loop through the knot behind the front loop. Even the ends and tighten.